Apple's patent is particularly interesting because it includes eye-tracking technology, making objects in the screen gain focus and depth as you look at them. So as you look at certain areas of the screen they'll expand within the 3D environment. The UI will even vary the drop-shadows of the icons based on the ambient light coming from the real world – making them look like real objects in the screen.

The best part? Apple filed this patent back in 2010 – meaning that 3D gadgets could be winging their way out of Cupertino soon.